What are your thoughts on the leagues decision to stop the league and award the title to Kelty?
I think to finish the league just now for our level was the only viable option. There was never going to be a solution to please everyone and after a very good first season you have to feel a bit for Bonnyrigg, but Kelty were top and in my opinion deserve to be champions. My only hope now is they get the opportunity to progress and at least a chance of gaining promotion to league 2 or whatever that may be following reconstruction.

Looking back at the season, how was your first experience as a manager, positives and negatives, and will it stand you in good stead for the new season, whenever that may be?
On a personal note looking back on my first season in management, in terms of results it wasn’t what I had been hoping for and I believe we underachieved as a squad and I have to take the responsibility for that. Going forward I think it was great experience for me and I have learned some valuable lessons that can only be a positive come next season. Away from Saturdays and results I loved the other aspects, man management, planning, preparing and delivering training sessions with the coaching team. Even in lockdown I am continually looking for new ideas and building folders of routines for next season, so it never stops for me. The feedback from the boys in terms of what we are trying to achieve and what we are doing on training nights has been positive and they appear to be enjoying it which is what we are looking for as coaches.

Have you been in contact with the current players and how difficult has that been?
We have been keeping in contact with players through the WhatsApp group which is good for some banter and keeping spirits up. We have set them a wee fitness challenge during lockdown to keep up the competitive edge along with maintaining fitness levels as well.

Same again, this time about the possibility of speaking to or signing new players for the new season?
Luckily we had identified targets before the lockdown situation so had contacted the players respective clubs to inform them of our interest. I have spoken to those players briefly to let them know we are interested and plan to have conversations with them again when this becomes possible. We had also made two big signings prior to this in Iain Anderson and Steven Black and I’m hopeful they will be here next season and Steven Degnan will be back from injury which will be a major boost for us.

How have you been coping with the lockdown personally?
Working in the NHS personally, life hasn’t change a great deal for me. However my wife Kristine is furloughed and trying to keep some routine for her and the kids Rocco and Eva at home. A bit of home schooling and Joe wicks P.E. fills some of their time. They save their one daily walk for me coming home from work so we can do it as a family and that is something we wouldn’t ‘normally’ do but something we might take out of lockdown to have a bit of family time away from technology and football!

Finally any message for the fans?
I hope everyone involved with the club from committee members, players and supporters are all staying safe through this difficult time. Health at the current time should be everyone’s priority while everything else takes a back seat. At some point though football will be back at the Croft and I can assure everyone I am more determined and working as hard as ever to make a success of this opportunity and improve the club both on and off the pitch when we do get the opportunity to come back.

Hopefully we will see you all back safe and soon.

Mon the Star
Ritchie